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I need some prayer....

Discussion in 'Pastoral Ministries' started by Jkdbuck76, Apr 1, 2009.

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  1. Jkdbuck76

    Jkdbuck76 Well-Known Member
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    Hello guys.

    I need your prayers. I think God is calling me. We are without a Pastor at this time and I had to preach my first funeral 2 weeks ago because nobody could be found on such short notice. I knew what to do since, unfortunately, I've buried so many family members, it ain't funny. I am presently the chairman of deacons for this year.

    I've had other ministers tell me privately that they think God is calling me. It takes one to know one. Even my childhood youthminister told me that he always knew that I'd end up behind the pulpit some day. I'm really scared to admit that I think He is in some way calling me to step up. Oh sure: God calls ALL His children to ministry, but God has given me some gifts that I must excercise or I'll continue to be miserable in my life.

    In any case: we had a deacon's meeting 2 weeks ago. I told them that I think God is doing something in my life. He's even doing something in my wife's life! And I told them that a few days back, I was asked to preach a funeral with 24 hours notice.

    The long/short is this: they deacons and our associational missionary told me to pray about it and to consider, for now, to a minister license like this:

    http://www.cobaptist.org/ministers licensing.htm

    They explained to me that it would not make me an ordained minister, but that it was the Church's way of putting their trust and "seal of approval" on the gifts that God has given me. They said that it was really an endorsement of my preaching (I have had to step up to the pulpit since we're between pastors) and doing funerals and to be able to marry people should the need arise. They've licensed some other men in the past and one man in particular went on to be ordained and has a wonderful ministry of reaching the biker crowd.

    So I'm asking for your prayers. Maybe God wants me to be a lay preacher. Maybe God wants for me to minister to our local body just until we get a new pastor.

    Maybe God has put me in my line of work to get me ready for Pastoral ministries. Seriously, I work in customer service and I have to listen to all kinds of folks and I get yelled at a lot for stuff other folks do.

    I'm sorry to ramble like an idiot. But you guys that are Ordained mininsters have all been where I am right now.

    Practically speaking: where should I further my Biblical studies? I have DSL and I can take some courses online. I have a bachelor's in Sociology.

    Spiritually speaking, what do I need to do? Yes, prayer and Bible study. But what did you guys do? How did God let you know that HE was calling you?
     
    #1 Jkdbuck76, Apr 1, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 1, 2009
  2. SBCPreacher

    SBCPreacher Active Member
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    You will certainly be in my prayers.

    How did I know God was calling me?
    First, He wouldn't let go. No matter how I tried to fight it - or ignore it - He wouldn't let go.
    Second, I had no peace about it until I said yes. Then I (and my wife) had God's peace.
     
    #2 SBCPreacher, Apr 1, 2009
  3. Tom Bryant

    Tom Bryant Well-Known Member

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    You will have my prayers.

    It sounds to me that you're already doing the work of a lay pastor. Whole congregations depend on lay leadership.

    Here are a couple of questions that might show the answer about whether or not you are called.
    Is God blessing your ministry? Are people responding to what you teach them God's Word says to do?

    Do people like listening to you preach? (not talking about the little old lady who can't hear anything but keeps saying "that was good")

    Can you do anything else besides serve God in a local church? If you can do anything else, then do that.
     
    #3 Tom Bryant, Apr 1, 2009
  4. TCGreek

    TCGreek New Member

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    This is exciting my brother. Keep praying and see what the Lord is revealing to you.

    Pastors are often birthed in times like these.
     
    #4 TCGreek, Apr 1, 2009
  5. Jkdbuck76

    Jkdbuck76 Well-Known Member
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    Thanks, folks.

    Any ideas on what I should do for continuing my studies? Until my wife can find a job, there will be no online college. So in the meantime, I can listen in to some online courses in theology or hermeneutics or OT History or SOMETHING just to keep my mind from going bonkers.
     
    #5 Jkdbuck76, Apr 1, 2009
  6. rickh

    rickh New Member

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    #6 rickh, Apr 2, 2009
  7. TCGreek

    TCGreek New Member

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    Famed pastor and theologian John MacArthur has opened his sermon archives for free downloading.

    40yrs of solid pastoral ministry at Grace Community Church.

    Search for those that deal with the Church and the Pastor. They are really good.
     
    #7 TCGreek, Apr 2, 2009
  8. Allan

    Allan Active Member

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    Until you come to terms to with what God is doing, your mind wont stop (going bonkers) I'm afraid.
    You can't study it out nor work it out, you must pray it out. I couldn't find peace in anything nor from anything. I was constantly thinking about it, arguing with it, considering it, laughing about it, ect.. but all the while I had no peace in my heart because I truly desire to serve God not for me but that He might somehow be glorified in using me. I was an evangelist and had NEVER considered being a pastor because I preached at to many of their churches and saw what most had to go through, and I didn't want any part of that :laugh: . Then one day..

    I'll share with you what a pastor friend of mine told me when I asked for his help in this situation - If you can be truly be happy doing something else other than that then don't seek the ministry. However if you can think of nothing more satisifying than serving God in what minstry He chooses to call you to, you had better stop dancing and get to walk'in in the minstry God has prepared for you.

    H also told me that if I was going through all this fuss about whether or not I should or should not, then it is a good bet it wasn't my idea to begin with.

    But the fact is simply this - no matter what you do.. If you are seeking God in this, and this is what God is seeking you to do for His good pleasure, you can only find peace and assurance in accepting what "God" is calling you to.

    However, with do regard to you 'study' question you can find ten tons worth of stuff online. But I would suggest start you own expository study of a book of scripture. Then go online and look up background, culture, views present at that time, and so much more. Go online at different schools and see what books they might be using for certain studies and purchase that book. Example - OT Survey that I did in SEBTS (SouthEastern), we used an exceptional book "From Creation to the Cross". It was great and powerful and easy to understand.

    I will pray for you brother, it is exciting to see God moving in your life in a way that is about to take you one step closer to home :)
     
    #8 Allan, Apr 2, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 2, 2009
  9. Jkdbuck76

    Jkdbuck76 Well-Known Member
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    Update 04/15/09

    After prayer and some consultation with (you guessed it) a few pastors I know, I'm going to take the recommendation of the deacons and tell them that I wish to become a licensed minister....for now.

    I will study the Bible more and talk with my mentors some more.
     
    #9 Jkdbuck76, Apr 15, 2009
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